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What is Asian Hornet Week? Asian Hornet Week in the UK, usually held in early September, aims to raise awareness of the invasive Vespa velutina (yellow-legged hornet). These predators threaten native pollinators and biodiversity. Sightings should be reported via the Asian Hornet Watch app, with a PDF Identification Guide available. Key Information regarding Asian Hornets in the UK : Identification : Smaller than native hornets, dark abdomen, orange face, and distinctive yellow "socks". Peak Time : Early September is prime time for sightings as colonies are at their largest. Reporting : Use the Asian Hornet Watch app (Android/iOS) or the online reporting form. Threat : They prey on honeybees, disrupting ecosystems and posing risks to apiaries. Activity : They are rapidly spreading, with significant sightings in Kent, Sussex, and other parts of the UK. Why the Week Matters The NNSS Asian Hornet Week initiative encourages the public to check beehives, flowers, and fruit for the insects to help the National Bee Unit find and destroy nests The British Beekeeper’s Association is holding its 4th Asian Hornet Week this week to raise awareness as Autumn is typically when Asian hornet's nests are revealed as the leaves start to fall from the trees and bushes. Asian Hornets are non-native and pose a risk to our honeybee population. They hand around their hives and pick them off as they emerge which is known as “hawking”. Follow these 3 simple steps to tell if you’ve got an Asian Horne t: Step 1 : Check its very black Step 2 : Check for an orange stripe on the 4th segment of the abdomen Step 3 : Check its legs – does it look like they’ve been dipped in yellow paint? If you can answer yes to these questions, then you’ve likely got yourself an Asian Hornet! You can also watch the Animal & Plant Health Agency’s short film on how to identify Asian Hornets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4DRki97wzg&t=5s So, what should you do if you spot an Asian Hornet? The British Beekeeper’s Association urges all sightings to be reported so that experts can take action to eradicate them. It is crucial you report any possible sightings of the Asian Hornet You can also download the new free ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ app from the Google Play  Store or App Store  for iPhone. Learn about the Asian Hornet The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is a non-native species to the UK and is considered a major threat to native pollinators and honey bees. The Asian hornet was first sighted in the UK in 2016 and has since established populations in several regions.   If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet in the UK, it is important to report it to the authorities, as they are working to prevent the spread of this species. Removing Asian hornet nests can be particularly challenging and dangerous, as the hornets are highly aggressive and their venom is more toxic than that of the European hornet. It is strongly recommended to hire a professional pest control service experienced in dealing with Asian hornets Looking for Hornet Nest Removal near you? Call PGM Pest Control to book an appointment to remove the hornets nest from your property , call 01981 540088 or email contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk PGM serve all locations throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire .

The hornet tends to be a cause for concern for most people and around this time of year we get a lot of frantic calls about them. But what is the truth about hornets? Are people right to be afraid them? In this blog we try and dispel some of your fears about the awesome hornet. Hornet Statistics Weight Category: Heavyweights Well, for starters they are big; larger than the common wasp coming in at around 19-35mm in length making them contenders in the heavy weight category of the wasp family. Reach & Knock Outs (Kos): Super Stingers Hornet stings can be much more painful than a typical wasp sting due to the levels of venom they carry and, like wasps, they are capable of stinging multiple times. Reputation: Fearsome Due to their size and features they are formidable looking opponents. They’re also quite loud – a nest of hornets can sound quite frightening. Hornet Record It may surprise you to know that, despite appearances, the hornet is not an aggressive pest. In fact, hornets are considered to be quite shy insects. Away from the nest, it is very rare to encounter a run-in with a hornet. Not only are hornets passive pests they are relatively uncommon. Plus, hornets are great for the environment – they are important pollinators and nature’s pest controllers as they feast on aphids, making them a gardener’s best pal. So our advice is to leave your hornet alone to do its job. If you’ve found a hornet’s nest you should call a professional pest controller for hornet nest removal , or to give you advice and NEVER APPROACH OR TOUCH OR ATTEMPT TO MOVE A HORNETS NEST YOURSELF. If you’ve got a hornet nest in Herefordshire or Worcestershire , don’t panic – call PGM & Son Pest Control today on 01981 540088 or email contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk who get rid of hornets, treat hornets’ nests and destroy and remove hornets’ nests for you. And we don’t just stop at tackling hornets’ nests – give us a call if you’ve got a wasp problem or any other pest problem for that matter!

Wasps going on? The changing pattern of summer pest behaviour. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is urging the public to be on their guard for wasps as they anticipate a significant increase in prevalence this summer. This season could be a bumper year as wasp populations traditionally rise and fall in a two-year pattern – with BPCA records showing the UK was inundated in 2016 , followed by a distinct lull in numbers in 2017. At PGM Pest Control we know that wasps and hornets are an asset to the environment as they control other small pests. However, we know they can be a nuisance and potentially dangerous to some people and pets. We always look at ways to resolve the problem both for the client, their family and in consideration of the wider environment. WASPS We see a lot of problems with wasps in Hereford the surrounding areas. Wasps can inflict a painful sting and in some rare cases a single sting can induce anaphylactic shock – an extreme reaction to the toxins in the wasps venom. You may find wasp nests in the following areas: Roof spaces Wall cavities Trees Even BBQs! Nests are formed of paper (chewed wood) and the sizes vary. Colonies will survive one season in the UK. Weather depending, a new nest starts around Spring by the over-wintered Queen. Wasps may be aggressive is threatened. Some people are allergic to wasp stings and they can be fatal. How a professional pest controller removes a wasp nest ↗ HORNETS The hornet tends to be a cause for concern for most people and around this time of year we get a lot of frantic calls about them. Due to their size and features they are formidable looking opponents. They’re also quite loud – a nest of hornets can sound quite frightening. Hornets are great for the environment – they are important pollinators and nature’s pest controllers as they feast on aphids, making them a gardener’s best pal. We see a lot of problems with wasps and hornets in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the surrounding areas. Wasps and hornets can inflict a painful sting and in some rare cases a single sting can induce anaphylactic shock – an extreme reaction to the toxins in the wasps venom. Like any pest issue, a professional pest management company can help minimise activity now and in the future, with a range of techniques, and ensure a full, safe and effective treatment is carried out. How a professional pest controller removes a hornet nest  ↗ Got Wasps or Hornets? Don’t panic! – call PGM & SON Pest Control today on 01981 540088 and speak with a professional pest controller for help, support and guidance.

Did you know that it’s Asian Hornet Week from 9th September to 15th September? So, we’re calling on Herefordshire residents to watch out for hornets this month and to report any sightings to us at PGM & Son Hornet Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire or to the Non-Native Species Secretariat at: http://www.nonnativespecies.org Why is the Asian Hornet Trouble with a capital T? Although the Asian hornet doesn’t pose any greater risk to humans than their European cousin, they pose a serious threat to honey-bee populations. They cause major damage to honey-bee colonies and you know how WE LOVE OUR BEES AT PGM PEST CONTROL! The European Hornet The European Hornet is Mother Nature’s pest controller. They feed on aphids, which makes them a gardener’s dream and the European hornet is an important pollinator. Despite their fearsome appearance the hornet isn’t actually an aggressive pest. Hornets are quite shy insects and, away from their nest, it’s very rare to encounter a run-in with a hornet. Spotting a Hornet Hornets are big , much bigger than the common wasp and due to their size and features their appearance can be alarming. They also make a very loud buzzing noise which can be quite frightening, particularly near a hornet nest. Hornets can sting multiple time s and, due to the level of venom they carry a single sting can be extremely painful. If you’re not sure you’ve spotted a hornet, take a photo and email it to us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk What should you do if you spot a hornet’s nest? If you’ve found a hornet’s nest you should call a professional pest controller like PGM & Son Hornet Control Hereford to give you advice. Unlike the girl who kicked the hornet’s nest in author Steig Larsson’s novel our advice is NEVER APPROACH OR TOUCH OR ATTEMPT TO MOVE A HORNETS’ NEST YOURSELF. If you’ve got a hornet nest, don’t panic – call PGM & SON Pest Control today on 01981 540088, and we'll get rid of hornets for you, treat hornets’ nests and destroy and remove hornets’ nests for you. And we don’t just stop at tackling hornets’ nests – give us a call if you’ve got a wasp problem or any other pest problem for that matter!

Every April PGM & Son Pest Control start dealing with lots of ant problems! Climate change is a key factor in the rise in ants . And, with lots of rain recently and the hot sunny period already upon us and set to continue along with rain spells in between, we’re expecting the number of call-outs to continue to rise. And although they don’t carry transmittable diseases like other pests, they can still be a nuisance and they can, and do, bite. As with lots of other pests, prevention is often better than cure and simple steps like keeping food items in sealed containers, wiping down sides properly and not leaving pest food out can help enormously. If you do find you have a problem, it’s best to contact a pest controller as soon as possible because the problem can be treated much quicker and easier if you don’t waste time. So if you are having a problem with an ant infestation , if you need help to get rid of your ants then call PGM & Son Pest Control, Herefordshire and Worcestershire for help and advice. For help support and guidance email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 540088 or use the contact us page for a free no-obligation quote .

Ants can be really annoying however, they aren’t usually regarded as disease carriers so most people are advised to put up with them if they’re found in the garden. Ants can become a problem in the house though as they travel around outside across all sorts of terrain and so you wouldn’t really want them marching across your kitchen work surfaces or in your larder cupboard. The UK climate hasn’t historically been ideal for ants as they prefer warmer climates. However, with global warming, the ant is thriving in the UK and especially during these Summer months. How do you know if you’ve got ants? You’ll probably know you’ve got ants as you’ll normally see them first of all. Ants are fascinating creatures – watch how they operate, it is amazing! You may also see small holes in soil with small piles of earth surrounding them. What can you do to keep the ants away? There’s not a great deal you can do to keep the ants away from your garden but you can take some simple steps to reduce the risk of an ant infestation inside your home or business. This includes: Keeping work surfaces clean and free from sticky residues – ants love sweet things Make sure you keep foodstuffs in sealed tight containers and put away in cupboards. Remove anything that is a food source for ants Check to see where they might be entering your property and close the access point, although this can be very difficult as the ant is so small. Keep a close eye on the ants moving back and forth from nest to food to track their movements. Ant in your pants? A fun fact : The saying “ants in your pants” is generally thought to be due to excitement, restlessness, fidgety or worry but no specific or logical explanation or source for the saying has been found. Fun Ant Facts They’re super strong – an ant can carry 20 times its own body weight! Have you seen the ant man? Queen ants can have millions of babies – wow! imagine that! A colony will only usually survive a few months without a Queen. Worker ants cannot reproduce and a Queen is rarely replaced. Ants don’t have ears! What? Instead they hear by feeling vibrations with their feet Need Help Controlling Ants? If you have an ant control problem and want a local, reliable, value for money service, call PGM & Son Pest Control Herefordshire and Worcestershire on 01981 540088 or email contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk for advice and solutions. Contact us about your ant problem ↗

Introducing the Ant! This week we are excited to carry on with our series of "Pest Trumps" at PGM & SON Pest Control Services with The Ant . Each file is available for free download , and you may use them at work to help identify pests for the protection of your workers and customers. The PGM "Pest Control Trumps" set of information cards were created to assist with pest-related issues in the UK and to ensure the public are armed with the correct information about each pest we highlight in our pest trump series. By proactively promoting an integrated pest management approach, we can protect people and food as well as wildlife and the environment. We all have an important part to play in educating the public and business that prevention is better than cure. At PGM & SON we know stewardship and sustainability are critical both to the survival of the pest control industry and to our planet. Fact File These highly organised and social insects are noticeable by their head, thorax and abdomen. With narrow waists and a sharp elbow joint in their antennae, the foraging worker ants march into buildings to search for food to take back to the nest to feed their larvae and queen. DID YOU KNOW? Flying ants are reproductive males and females who have a nuptial swarming flight for a few days usually in July and August. STRENGTH ~ 8 What can we say?! If anyone has ever seen a tiny army of ants on the march, they can’t fail to be impressed. These minute insects have strength in numbers and are fascinating to watch. BREEDING ~ 8 Flying ants' mate in flight after which the female will find a nest for the winter. She then lays her eggs the following spring to start a new colony. The ability to survive through the winter to start a new colony in the spring seems like a massive feat to us for such a tiny insect! The average lifespan of an ant can be anything from several weeks to several years. NUISANCE FACTOR ~ 10 Although impressive in their skills and teamwork, ants are a major nuisance factor. They love sweet foods and will forage in kitchens and just about anywhere to find food which they can take back to their nest. The problem with an ant is that they march across most surfaces to find and transport their food including other animal faeces, dirt, grime and bacteria. The ant is a major disease transmitter for this reason. Ants are also very hard to control due to their size, ability to access buildings through miniscule holes and cracks, build inaccessible nests and their sheer numbers. AGILIGTY ~ 8 Ants make complex and vast nests with multiple inaccessible entry points. In the garden, ant nests occupy a much larger volume of soil than the surface excavations might suggest. ENVIRONMENTAL ~ 7 The common ant is an important insect and can be found in pretty much every garden across the UK. They are an important part of biodiversity. Ants feed on other invertebrates including other ants. They also collect sweet liquid known as honeydew from aphids and sap-feeding insects. They do little damage to plants although they can disturb the soil around the roots to use for nests. Superpower Teamwork! Overall PGM Rating 7/10 For an ant, it’s all about great teamwork. They may be tiny insects, but they are mighty team players! Ants can be a major nuisance in a home or business, and they are disease carriers, so they score low on both points. However, in the garden, ants are an important part of biodiversity and win extra points for this. They are also fascinating insects with impressive ability given their small size.

From 29th June to 5th July, the annual week of action and education to raise awareness about the amazing solitary bees commences. At PGM & SON Pest Control - WE LOVE OUR BEES ! 🐝 And solitary bees are no different. Most people have heard of bumble bees and honey bees but this week we’re joining the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) and Cornish product designers, Green&Blue to help raise awareness of the solitary bee. What’s a solitary bee? A solitary bee doesn’t produce any honey or wax and they don’t live in hives or swarm. However, they are quite sociable and often nest close to each other – despite their anti-social name! Some solitary bees help collect pollen and nectar for their mothers to help feed their siblings – awww what kind little bees they are! Just over two thirds of solitary bees are ‘mining’ bees nesting in burrows underground. Others are cavity nesting and prefer to live in hollow plant stems, snail shells and existing holes and tunnels in wood or mortar. Masonry bees, more commonly called ‘mortar’ bees, are a solitary type of bee – quite often you’ll see this type of bee nesting in individual holes in mortar joints and soft bricks. Solitary bees make up around 90% of the bee population and there are currently around 240 species in the UK. Together with other pollinating creatures, they are responsible for a third of all the food we eat so they are massively important to the planet. Hoorah for bees! 🐝 Due to increased use of chemicals in large fields and across farm lands unfortunately the solitary bee are increasingly under threat. There are less wildflower meadows and hedgerows around which historically provided home to many wildlife. Did you know? In some parts of China, there are no bees left to naturally pollinate and so pollination is being undertaken using paintbrushes! Wow! that’s a very gruelling task!! What you can do this week to help the solitary bee Share your photos on social media using the #solitarybeeweek And, as a reminder from PGM & Son Pest Control: Leave them Bee! If you are watching their fascinating work – social distance yourself! Don’t panic if your bees are active in hot weather, this is entirely normal! Contact a local beekeeper to see whether they can relocate the nest for you (but only if it’s necessary and you are unable to leave it where it is). If you are worried about bees, give us a call at PGM & Son Hereford as we can talk to you about why bees are important and set your mind at rest about the risk to you. In most cases, the risk of being stung will be extremely low. In rare situations bees can be hazardous and, where there is a threat to the public, you can contact a pest controller to address the problem. So if you have a bee problem you need help with, give PGM & SON Pest Control a call so we can discuss a range of solutions with you, which enable us to live in harmony with our friends the bees.

What to do if you have a bees nest in Hereford?...Leave them Bee! What great weather we’re having! And we’re starting to see lots of bees pollinating like crazy. At PGM & Son Pest Control WE LOVE OUR BEES! Bees are the key workers of the insect kingdom – they are critical to our eco-system and it is essential that they are protected. Research estimates that bees pollinate a third of all crops, including those which are used to feed livestock to you can see how important they are to the planet. And we reckon our local farmers deserve a big pat on the back for reducing the use of damaging crop sprays. They’ve been doing their bit for our great Herefordshire countryside. And let’s not forget about the conscientious pest controllers amongst us who are taking steps to look after our precious bee population and avoiding unnecessary pest treatments. Did you know that 25% of all bee types are endangered? LEAVE THE BEES ALONE! Our advice to the public is always LEAVE THE BEES ALONE if you can, and let them go about their very important business. During lockdown when lots of children are at home encourage your children to observe the bees going about their work. They are fascinating creatures – bees are not usually aggressive but as with any insect or animal you should respect them so keep your distance if you want to watch them as they pollinate. Top Tip - Tell children they need to social distance with bees as well! The other important thing to remember is that bees will go away and not return to the nesting site after the summer. In fact, by the time most people notice a colony, the activity will be naturally declining. What to do if you have bees Leave them Bee! If you are watching their fascinating work – social distance yourself! When it’s hot bees will be more active so as this is normal, don’t panic! Contact a local beekeeper to see whether they can relocate the nest for you (but only if it’s necessary and you are unable to leave it where it is). If you are worried about bees, give us a call at PGM & Son Hereford as we can talk to you about why bees are important and set your mind at rest about the risk to you. In most cases, the risk of being stung will be very low. In rare situations bees can be hazardous and, where there is a threat to the public, you can contact a pest controller to address the problem. So if you have a bee problem in Herefordshire or Worcestershire you need help with, give PGM & Son Bee Nest Control a call so we can discuss a range of solutions with you, which enable us to live in harmony with our friends the bees. Email us at contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or call us on 01981 540088 / 07964 370480 or use our contact us page on the website for a free no-obligation quote.

Bees around your property and business are very important and beneficial. Bees are pollinators and critical to our fragile ecosystem. Gooden's Nomad bee (Nomada goodeniana) Bees do not normally exhibit aggressive behaviours towards humans and therefore leaving them to complete their full seasonal cycle is vital to our ecosystem. Bees do not cause any problems to your property , and nor are you in danger of being stung, if they are left alone and unprovoked. After the summer season the bees will go away and not return to the nesting site the following year. Read more here >> The protection and preservation of bees in the UK is crucial. And as responsible pest management professionals we’ve pledged to educate our customers on the benefits of bees, taking any eradication action as a last resort. Our mission remains to Leave them Bee! If we didn’t treat your bees for you, it’s because we deemed them to be low risk to you or your customers. However, if the threat of bees changes you can always contact us for advice and guidance. Having a problem with Bees? PGM & SON Pest Control will not treat bees unless there is a serious risk to public health. Bees are great for the environment and, as they are beneficial, we do not consider them to be a pest. Bees will not normally sting unless provoked so we encourage you to try to live in harmony with your bees. ​ If, however, your bees are causing a nuisance we can suggest that you contact your local beekeeper who may be able to remove the swarm. Visit: www.bbka.org.uk/swarm . Enter your postcode at the foot of the page to find your local beekeeper. Alternatively, you can contact the British Beekeepers Association on 0871 362 0138 (please note calls to this number cost 24p for the first minute and 9p per minute thereafter plus your phone company's access charge). They should be able to point you in the direction of the nearest beekeeper. If there is a risk to public health in Herefordshire or Worcestershire , you should contact PGM & SON Pest Control via the following methods: Telephone 01981 540088 or if you have an emergency call our 24/hr helpline on 07964 370480 Email: contact@pgmpestcontrol.co.uk or use the PGM AI Assist on the bottom right hand side of your screen for 24hour free help, support and guidance on any pest problem.